Welcome to the 2011 Astros’ roller coaster ride

Perhaps in one game, we’ve already seen the 2011 season. And, we’ve already certainly seen that a roller coaster can be fun and it can also make your stomach a bit queasy! Some days will be wonderful experiences that will make you want to write home, others will just want to make you go home…period.

Even when some elements work well, another area — or areas — can spring a leak. Such are the days of a rebuilding team — 162 of ’em.

Are you up to the roller coaster ride? Is a young team prepared for an up and down season? How ya doin’ Brad Mills?

Obviously, the fewer games like Friday’s season opener, the better. And while the season won’t rise and fall on the young bats, arms or gloves of players like Brett Wallace or Bud Norris, Brandon Lyon and Carlos Lee are key components of any level of respectability.

There were a couple of key stats from Game 1 that could haunt the Astros all season.

Obviously, your closer who is signed through 2012 shouldn’t be allowing six hits and three runs in 1/3 of an inning to not only blow the save but give up the game in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Lindstrom where are you?

The top three hitters — Michael Bourn, Angel Sanchez, Hunter Pence — were 4-for-12. Meanwhile, the middle of the order was virtually non-existent. Okay, totally non-existent, when you consider Lee, Bill Hall and Chris Johnson were 0-for-12 with no walks and 5 Ks.

If Lee doesn’t return to somewhere close to his old .300/30/100 self, and if Chris Johnson’s 2010 was an anomaly, the Astros’ lineup is in trouble. With the rotation the Astros will march out, they need to win every game in which the offense scores 4+ runs.

Indeed, four runs may win a lot of games, but it will put a lot of pressure on a younger bullpen.

So you may have seen the season in one 2 hour, 45 minute microcosm today. Good pitching, high drama, solid defense, great anticipation, only to watch the balloon burst.